LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

®^p.GcV §mn0 In.ia.'^S 
Shelf ..Bl*:!!^ 

UNITED STATES OF AMEEICA. 



THE 



DESCRIPTION AND LAWS 



OF THE 



GAME OF BOSTON 



TABLES OF VALUES, 



RULES FOR MAKING THE CALCULATIONS. 
\ 

T/u(s ii:!th our cards loe shuffle fff <il( sorroir." 

RICHARD CUMBERLAND. 



-^V OF CO 
^\^^ COPY RIG 

iVIAn' 3- 1 

PHILADELPHIA- 
1 883. 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1883 by 
R . P . C R E G A R , 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress. 



DORK AX, PRINTER 



"The intention of card laws is : 1, To preserve the har- 
mony and to determine the ordering of the card-table ; 2. To 
prevent any player from obtaining an unfair advantage. 

" By unfair is not meant intentional unfairness. By acci- 
dent or carelessness any player may gain an advantage to 
which he is not entitled. 

" The above considerations lead at once to two fundamental 
principles on which card decisions should be framed. 

''1. As the offending plaj'er is credited with hona fides. 
the intention of the player interested must not be taken into 
account. The case must be judged by the amount of injury 
which the irregularity may inflict on the opponents ; and 

"2. The penalty must be proportioned as closely as pos- 
sible to the amount of gain which may accrue to the offender. 
In a perfect code there should be a penalty for all errors or 
irregularities by which the offender or his partner might 
profit. And it follows that there should be no penalty for 
errors by which he who commits them cannot possibly gom 
an advantage. . . . Card laws cannot touch cheating, 
nor punish it." 

'•CAYENDISEr 



(3) 



CO^TTEIS^TS. 



PAGE 

Defixition or the Terms used in the Game of 



Boston, 7 

Description of the Game, .9 

Laws of the Game, 15 

Cutting, 15 

The Deal, .16 

Declaring, 17 

Exposed Cards, 20 

Called Cards, 20 

Lead out of Turn, 21 

Playing out of Turn, ... ... 22 

K EVOKES, 22 

General Laws, ....... 25 

Basts, 28 

Value of Declares in Spades, 30 

Value of Declares in Clubs, 31 

Value of Declares in Diamonds, . . . .32 

Value of Declares in Hkarts, 33 

Value of Declares in Suits 34 

Value of Other Declares, 35 

General ^[iskry, 36 

KuLEs FOR Calculation of Values 37 

(5) 



DEFI^^ITIOX OF THE TEE31S USED IN 
THE GA3IE OF BOSTON. 



^Boston. 

^Boston on the Table. 
Declare 



An offer hy a player to take a 
given number of tricks or to 
play Piccolissimo or a ^Misery. 



^General Misery. 



"GrRAND Misery. 

^Grand Misery on the Table. 

^Little Misery. 

^Little Misery on the Table. 

Losing Declares . . Piccolissiuio and the Miseries. 
^Misery of Four Aces. 

Partners The three players who play against 



Pass A refusal to make a declare. 

^Piccolissimo. 
"Piccolissimo of Four Aces. 



Tricks Over . . . Tricks made by the player over 



Tricks Short' . . . Tricks that the player is short of 

the number named by him in 



Winning Declare . . A declare in trumps or suits. 



the one making a declare. 



Suits. 



When there are no trumps, and 
the tricks are taken by the 
face value of the cards. 



the number named by him 
in his declare. 



his declare. 




DESCRIPTION OF THE aAME. 



The game of Boston is played with a full pack 
of 52 cards. For convenience, two packs are 
generally used. 

The cards have the same face value as in 
Whist, and are played in the same manner. 

All the players should have an equal num- 
ber of counters of the following values, 100, 50, 
and 10. These values must be plainly indicated 
either by the shape or color of the counters. 
The so-called Boston counters can be obtained 
at any stationer's shop, but they are not as con- 
venient as the round counters in three colors. 

Though four players constitute a full table, 
the game is sometimes played by three people, 
in which case only 39 cards are used. The 
cards discarded are either all of one suit, or 
the deuces of three suits and all of the fourth 
suit except the ace, king, and queen, or the 2, 

2 (9) 



10 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



3, and 4 of three suits and the 2, 3, 4, and 5 of 
the fourth suit (spades is the suit from which 
the largest discard is generally made). 

The object of the game is for each player to 
endeavor to win the pool and a stake from the 
other players by making what are called de- 
clares, that is, announcing his intention of taking 
a certain number of tricks (winning declares), or 
of losing all the tricks but one (piccolissimo), 
or of losing all the tricks (misery). These last 
two are called losing declares. Six tricks is 
the lowest winning declare, and can be played 
either in trumps, i. e., spades, clubs, diamonds, 
or hearts, or in suits; the order of precedence 
being as above — spades the lowest, suits the 
highest. 

If a player cannot make a declare, he passes. 
If all the players pass, the hand is played out, 
each player trying to take as few tricks as possi- 
ble; this is called "General Misery," and the one 
taking the most tricks pays all the other players, 
(for amount to be paid, see page 36). In this case 
the pool is not taken, but remains over for the 
next hand. Before passing, it is advisable to 
carefully sort the cards as in Whist, for a small 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



11 



card which might be lost sight of in a confused 
hand, is often of great value when placed at the 
end of a line of six or seven others of the same 
suit. 

It is not considered advisable to thoroughly 
shuffle the cards, as that has a tendency to equal- 
ize the distribution of the suits, and so to pre- 
vent declares and to increase the number of 
general miseries. A hasty shuffle is, therefore, 
generally given to them. 

After the players have cut for deal and choice 
of seats, the cards are dealt and the game begins 
as follows: the eldest hand takes up his cards, 
and after sorting them either announces his dec- 
laration or passes, and the other players in their 
turn, either pass or declare over him, i. e., make 
a declare of a higher value. 

If a player has declared and all the other 
players have passed, his declare stands good and 
the hand is then played. The lead in all cases 
being with the eldest hand. 

Should any or all of the other players declare 
over him, he can in his turn either increase or %, 
change his declare to one superior to the highest 
declare made. This privilege passes in turn to 



12 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



all the players, and the one finally making the 
highest declare plays it. A player who has 
once passed cannot subsequently make a de- 
clare in that hand. 

If the player making the highest declare suc- 
ceeds, he takes the pool and receives from each 
of the other players the value of his declare, as 
given in the table of values. 

If he fails in declares other than trumps or 
suits, he doubles the pool and pays to each 
player the amount that he (the declarer) would 
have received had he been successful. If he 
fails in a declare in trumps or suits, he doubles 
the pool and pays to each player for all tricks 
short, the same that he (the declarer) would have 
received had they been over-tricks. If there have 
been other declares, he pays double to the player 
who made the next highest declare. 

In trumps the ace, king, queen, and knave are 
honors, and in suits the aces. 

Three or four honors held against the declarer 
count as if he held them. 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



13 



ILLUSTRATION. 

A, B, C, and D are playing. A deals, and B 
(eldest hand) declares to take six tricks in spades. 
C (second player) passes. D declares to take six 
tricks in diamonds, and A declares to take six 
tricks in hearts. B, finding himself nnable to 
take seven tricks in spades (necessary to beat the 
declare of six tricks in hearts), changes his de- 
clare to little misery (which beats six tricks 
in trumps or suits). C, having already passed, 
cannot declare, and D passes. A then increases 
his declare to sdven tricks in hearts, and B 
passes, leaving A's declare good, who now plays 
to take seven tricks, hearts being trumps. B 
leads, being the eldest hand. 

If A succeeds he takes the pool, and receives 
from B, C, and D the value of his declare. 

If he fails to take more than six tricks, he is 
said to be one short, and doubles the pool and pays 
to C and D the same amount that he would have 
received from them had he made an over-trick, 
i. e., taken 8 tricks, and pays double that amount 
to B, whose declare he took away from him. 



14 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



If he only takes 5 tricks lie is two skort, and 
pays the same as if he had made the 7 tricks and 
2 over, i. e., taken 9 tricks. 

If they all pass, and General Misery is played, 
and A takes 7 tricks, B takes 3, C takes 2, and D 
takes 1, then A pays B 40, C 50, and D 60, be- 
in2^ 10 for each trick of difference between them. 

If, however, in such General Misery A takes 
5 tricks and B takes 5, C takes 2, and D only 
1, B, then being the elder hand, pays 40 and A 
pays 30. Of this sum, 40 goes to D>nd 30 to 
C. If A, B, and C each take 4 tricks, they 
each pay 10 to D, who only has 1 trick. (See 
payments in General Misery, p. 36.) 



LAWS OF THE GAME. 



1. Four players constitute a full table, and 
after the table is complete no person can have 
the privilege of cutting in. 

CUTTING. 

2. In cutting, the ace is the lowest card. 

3. Each player must cut from the same pack. 

4. Should a player expose more than one card, ' 
he must cut again. 

5. The player cutting the lowest card deals 
and has the choice of seats. The one cutting the 
next lowest has the second choice of seats, and 
so on. 

6. If cards of equal value are cut, the players 
cutting them must cut again. 

7. If three players cut cards of equal value, 
the fourth card, if it is the lowest, has the deal 
and choice of seats. If it is the highest, it has 
the last choice. 

(15) 



16 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



THE DEAL. 

8. The dealer must pay 50 into the pool be- 
fore dealing. 

9. The entire pack must be dealt in two rounds 
in any manner the dealer pleases, except that no 
player can receive more than 9 in one round. 

10. The same number of cards must be dealt 
to each player in a round. 

11. Each player deals in his turn ; the deal 
passes to the left. The player on the dealer's 
right cuts the cards, and, when two packs are 
used, the player opposite the dealer gathers 
them up. 

NEW DEAL. 

12. There must be a new deal — 

a. If a card is exposed in dealing, no 
matter how caused. 

h. If a card is faced in the pack, or if 
the pack is found to be imperfect, 
either by its containing more or less 
than 52 cards, or by having a card 
of another pack substituted for one 
of its own. 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



17 



c. If the dealer gives any player more or 

less than 13 cards. 

d. If the dealer does not comply with the 

rules for dealing. 

13. There is no penalty for a misdeal, and the 
deal does not pass. 

DEAL OUT OF TURN. 

14. A deal out of turn is good unless objected 
to before the dealer has completed the third 
hand. If objected to in time, the deal must be 
made by the player whose turn it was to deal. 
If it is not objected to in time to be corrected, 
the next deal must be made by the player to the 
left of the one dealing out of turn. 

DECLARING. 

15. The eldest hand has the lirst privilege of 
either declaring or passing, and the other players 
declare or pass in their turn. 

3 



18 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



16. The number and relative rank of the de- 
clares are as follows : 



a. Six tricks in the 
following order : 



^ Spades (lowest), 
I Clubs, 
S Diamonds, 
Hearts, 

Suits (highest). 



h. Little Misery. 

c. Seven tricks (as above). 

d. Piccolissimo. 

e. Eight tricks (as above). 
/. G-rand Misery. 

g. Mne tricks (as above). 

h. Misery of four aces. 

I. Ten tricks (as above). 
j. Little Misery on the Table. 
k. Eleven tricks (as above). 
I. Piccolissimo of four aces. 
m. Twelve tricks (as above). 
n. Grand Misery on the Table. 
0. Boston (as above). 
jp. Boston on the Table (as above). 

17. A declare out of turn is not good unless 
repeated in its proper place. 



The game of boston. i9 

18. A player having once passed, cannot after- 
wards declare. When a player makes a winning 
declare the suit named is the trump, and a card 
of that suit can take the best card of any other 
suit. A winning declare can be made, however, 
in Suits, in which case there are no trumps and 
the cards have only their face value. 

19. A player making a declare can either in- 
crease or change it if any other player makes a 
superior declare. 

20. Any player making a declare can withdraw 
it (but not change it), provided he does so before 
the player to his left has either passed or led. This 
only applies to an original declare. If he declares 
over another player, the declare must be played. 

21. A player who thinks he has made a mis- 
take in his declare, can ask for time to re-exam- 
ine his hand. 

22. If a player who has made a declare is 

successful, he takes the pool, and receives from 

each of the other players the value of the declare. 

If he fails, he pays into the pool the amount then 

in it, and to each of the other players the full 

value of the declare. If he has declared over 
t, 

another player, he pays that player double. 



20 THE GAME OF BOSTON. 

EXPOSED CARDS. 

23. The following are exposed cards : Two or 
more cards played at once, even if only one can 
be named ; any card dropped face upwards, or in 
any way exposed on or above the table, even 
though picked up so quickly that it cannot be 
named. 

Cards dropped below the table are not ex- 
posed cards. 

CALLED CARDS. 

24. All cards exposed by the partners against 
the declarer can be called by him, and must be 
played unless such play would cause a revoke; 
in this case the player whose card is called fol- 
lo^ws suit, and the exposed card remains on the 
table, and can be called until it can be played 
without a revoke. 

25. Any card named by one of the players as 
being in his hand can be called, and must be 
placed upon the table face upAvards. 

26. Cards exposed either in General Misery or 
by the plaj^er making a declare, cannot be called. 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



21 



LEAD OUT OF TURN. 

27. A lead out of turn, if discovered before 
the declarer has played to it, gives him the right 
to either treat it aud the cards played to it as 
exposed cards, or to call a lead from the player 
whose turn it was to lead. 

28. If not discovered until after the declarer 
has played to it, the lead is good, and the winner 
of the trick leads. 

29. The call for a lead must be made at once, 
but the declarer should be allowed a reasonable 
time for his decision. 

30. A lead out of turn by the declarer can be 
corrected if objected to before the player to the 
left of the declarer has played to it, otherwise it 
stands good. 

31. If a lead is called, the card led out of 
turn and those played to it are not exposed 
cards, and can be taken up. 

32. If the player who is called on to lead a 
suit of which he has a card in his hand, leads a 
card of another suit, he has revoked, and is liable 
to all the penalties thereof. 



22 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



33. If he has none of the suit called, there is 
no further penalty. 

34. In Greneral Misery there is no penalty for 
a lead out of turn, but the lead out of turn must 
be corrected unless the player next to the one 
making the erroneous lead has played to it, when 
it stands good. 

PLAYING OUT OF TURN. 

35. If any partner should play out of turn to 
a card led, the declarer can demand that the 
player or players whose turn it was to play, 
shall play either the highest or lowest card of 
the suit led, or win or lose the trick. 

36. In General Misery any player playing out 
of turn to a card led, wins the trick and has the 
lead, even if the card played out of turn is the 
lowest card played to that trick, or if it is a card 
of another suit. 

REVOKES. 

37. All players must follow suit when they 
can. 

38. A. revoke is made when a player holding 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



23 



one or more cards of the suit led, plays a card of 
a different suit. 

39. A revoke made against a declarer estab- 
lishes his declare, and he is, moreover, paid for 
all over-tricks. 

40. A revoke made by the declarer loses him 
his declare. In trumps or suits he pays as if he 
were one trick short; should he, however, be more 
than one trick short, he must pay accordingly. 

41. The hand in which a revoke has occurred 
must be played out. 

42. In Genera] Misery the player revoking pays 
50 to each player, and the hand is not played 
out. If, however, the revoking player has taken 
more than seven tricks, before the revoke is de- 
tected, he pays as if he had not revoked, and the 
hand is played out. 

43. A revoke is established when the trick in 
which it occurs is turned and quitted, or when 
the revoking player (or one of his partners, if 
the revoking player is not the declarer), in his 
right turn or otherwise, has either led or played 
to the following trick. 

44. Partners may ask each other if they have 
none of the suit led. Should the question be 



24 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



asked before the trick is turned and quitted, 
the subsequent turning and quitting does not 
establish the revoke, and the error ma}^ be cor- 
rected unless the question is answered in the 
negative, or unless the revoking player or one of 
his partners has led or played to the following 
trick. 

45. If the player who has revoked against the 
declarer discovers his error, or has his attention 
called to it, in time to make the correction, ,the 
declarer may either call upon him to play his 
highest or lowest card of the suit led, to that 
trick in which he has revoked, or may treat the 
card played in error as an exposed card. If the 
highest or lowest card is called, the card played 
in error is not an exposed card, and can be 
taken up. 

46. If a revoke is claimed, and the accused 
player or his partners mix the cards before they 
have been sufficiently examined, the revoke is 
established. 

47. At the end of a hand a player claiming 
a revoke may search all the tricks. 

48. A revoke cannot be claimed after the 
cards are gathered up for the next deal. 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



25 



49. Should the declarer and either of his ad- 
versaries revoke during the play of the same 
hand, there is no penalty, and tlie hand is played 
out as if there had been no revoke. Should a 
third revoke occur, it carries with it all the penal- 
ties of an original revoke. 

GENERAL LAWS. 

50. Any one during the play of a trick, or 
after the four cards are played, but not after they 
have been touched for the purpose of gathering 
them together, can demand that the cards be 
placed before their respective players. If a de- 
clare has been made, only the declarer and the 
player opposite the declarer have the right to 
gather up the cards; in Greneral Misery, the win- 
ner of the trick. 

51. If any partner should call attention to the 
trick either by saying it is his, or by naming a 
card, or by drawing his card towards him without 
being required to do so, or by placing the cards 
before their respective players, the declarer may 
require the next player or players to play their 
highest or lowest of the suit led, or to win or lose 
the trick. 



26 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



52. In all cases when a penalty has been in- 
curred, the offender and his partners are bound to 
give a reasonable time for a decision to be made. 

53. Any player may demand to see the last 
trick turned and quitted, but no more. 

54. If a player should fail to turn the last trick 
taken, before either he or one of his partners has 
led, the declarer does not lose his right to see the 
last trick quitted, unless he has played to the card 
led ; but neither the player nor his partners can 
look at the trick turned, if either of them have 
led or played to the trick subsequent to the one 
not turned. This rule also applies to the player 
making a declare. 

55. The four cards discarded for a declare in 
either of the Little Miseries must be placed by 
their respective players under the pool, and after 
a card has been so quitted it must not be touched. 

56. If any player playing against the declarer 
in either of the Little Miseries, should lead before 
his partners have discarded, the declarer can call 
a lead, or can call upon his adversaries to play 
their highest or lowest card of the suit led. 

57. If any of the partners should expose his 
card in discarding for either of the Little Miseries, 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



27 



the declarer wins his play, and receives the pool 
and stakes, without being obliged to play the ^ 
hand out. 

58. If any player plays two cards to one trick, 
and the error is not discovered until after the 
trick is turned and quitted ; or discards two cards 
in either of the Little Miseries; or if, from 
any cause whatever, he plays with less than 13 
cards, the declarer wins his play and is paid, 
moreover, for all over-tricks. If the error is 
made by the declarer it loses him his play, and 
if he should be more than one short he must 

pay accordingly. In General Misery the player « 
who plays with less than 13 cards is subject to 
the penalty for a revoke (see law 42). If, how- 
ever, any player has more than 13 cards it is a 
misdeal, and a new deal must be made. 

59. Any conversation among the partners 
which gives each other any indication of their 
respective hands, or of how they should play, 
establishes the declare, but the declarer can play 
for over-tricks. 

60. After a declare is won the pool must be- 
gin anew, but no failure of the winner to claim 
it loses him his right to it. 



28 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



61. An error affecting the amount in the pool 
cannot be corrected after the eldest hand has 
either declared or passed. 

62. A card or cards torn or marked must be 
replaced by agreement, or new cards called for 

. at the expense of the table. 

63. If a bystander makes any remark which 
calls the attention of a player or players to any 
oversight, misplay, or error of any kind affecting 
the game, he is liable to be called upon to pay 
whatever losses may be incurred by any player 
during that hand. 

64. A bystander, by agreement among the 
players, may decide any question, and those agree- 
ing to submit to his decision shall be bound by it. 

BASTS. 

i 65. As the pool occasionally, from frequent 

doublings, becomes very large, it is sometimes 
limited by agreement to a certain number, say 
500 or more. When the pool reaches the limit 
which had been previously fixed by unanimous 
consent before the game began, and is subse- 
quently doubled, the amount is not paid into the 
pool, but is set aside for the next pool. 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



29 



This sum so set aside is called a " Bast." If 
the pool is doubled again, the amount goes to 
form a third pool, and so on. The next pool 
then starts with the limit in it, and cannot be 
increased except by the usual 50 for each deal. 

66. When Basts are played, no player failing to 
win his declare can forfeit more than the amount 
at the time in the pool, and the sum due each 
player for the failure. 



80 



THE GAxME 
VALUE OF 



OF BOSTON. 
DECLAEES. 



SPADES. 



OVER-TRICKS. 







1 


2 


3 


1 4 

1 


1 ^ 


6 


7 


Six Tricks, 


24 


30 


36 


42 


48 


b4 


60 


66 




36 


42 


48 


54 


60 


66 


72 


78 

( o 


Four Honors, 


48 


54 


60 


66 


72 


78 


84 


90 


SwT?,N Ttjtptts 


44 


55 


bo 




88 


QQ 


1 10 






uu 


77 


88 

OO 


QQ 


1 10 


191 


132 




Four Honors, 


88 


99 


110 


121 


132 


143 


154 












112 


1 9S 


14-4- 











119 


1 9« 


144- 


1 AO 


1 7fi 

1 ( o 






Four Honors, 


128 


144 


160 


176 


192 


208 










1 0^ 


1 9A 


14-7 


1 AS 

1 Do 








T^Tii'AA TTnnnva 
-LlllCC JLXUllUIfti 




147 


1 fiS 

.1 uo 


1 

lot} 


91 








Four Honors, 


168 


189 


210 


231 


252 








Ten Tricks, . . 


104 


130 


156 


182 










Three Honors, . 


156 


182 


208 


234 










Four Honors, 


208 


234 


260 


286 










Eleven Tricks, . 


124 


155 


186 












Three Honors, . 


186 


217 


248 












Four Honors, 


248 


279 


310 












Twelve Tricks, . 


144 


180 














Three Honors, . 


216 


252 














Four Honors, 


288 


324 















Note. — In this, and the following tables, the exact value of each 
declare is given. It is customary, for convenience, to pay the near- 
est 10. The exact sum can be paid, however, by having a fourth set 
of counters for the units. 



THE GAME 
VALUE OF 



OF BOSTON. 
DECLARES. 



31 



CLUBS. i OVER-TRICKS. 







1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 








4-9 


4.Q 




(V^ 
uo 


70 




1 rTPO^i r- 1 riTi riv*; 
XlllCC LXUllUlOi 


42 


4-Q 


OU 


yjo 


70 


i 1 


ot 


Ql 
y 1 


Four Honors, 


56 


63 


70 


1 1 


84 


91 


98 


105 


kJXi V xjlN Xixil_ xVo, . 


4-8 




72 




JU 


1 OS 

J Uo 


1 90 
1 _u 






72 


84 




108 


1 90 


1 

A O — 


1 4-4 




Four Honors, 


96 


108 


120 


132 


144 


156 


168 




XUiljrJtlX -Litil^lVO, . 


uo 


oo 


1 09 


1 1 Q 

I J. 


X OU 


loo 






-Lillet; xxuiiuib, . 




1. J. J 


XOvJ 


lOO 


1 70 


1 97 






Four Honors, 


136 


153 


170 


187 


204 


221 






i.1 ilMli J. KlL^lVft, 


Oo 




1 ^9 

1 OJj 


1 

1 o-± 


1 7fi 









illlCC XXUllUlhj 


J. 


X o^ 


± ( D 


1 QS 

I uo 


990 








Four Honors, 


176 


198 


220 


242 


264 








Ten Tricks. . . 


108 


135 


162 


189 










Three Honors, . 


162 


189 


216 


243 










Four Honors, 


216 


243 


270 


297 










Eleven Tricks, . 


128 


160 


192 












Three Honors, . 


192 


224 


256 












Four Honors, 


256 


288 


320 












Twelve Tricks, . 


148 


185 














Three Honors, . 


222 


259 














Four Honors, 


296 


333 















32 THE 


GA 


ME 


OF 


BOS 


TON 






Y AL 


UE 


OF 


DECLA 


EES. 




DIAMONDS. 


OVER-TRICKS. 






1 




3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


Six Tricks, . . 


32 


40 


48 


56 


64 


72 


80 


88 


mi TT 

i hree Honors, . 


48 


56 


64 


72 


80 


88 


96 


104 


Four Honors, 


64 


72 


80 


88 


96 


104 


112 


120 


Seven Tricks, 


52 


65 


78 


91 


104 


117 


130 




mi„ I r 

inree Honors, . 


78 


91 


104 


117 


130 


143 


156 




Four Honors, 


104 


117 


130 


]43 


156 


169 


182 




Eight Tricks, 


72 


90 


108 


126 


144 


162 







Inree Honors, . 


108 


126 


144 


162 


180 


198 






Four Honors, 


144 


162 


180 


198 


216 


234 






Nine Tricks, . . 


92 


115 


138 


161 


184 








Three Honors, . 


138 


161 


184 


207 


230 








Four Honors, 


184 


207 


230 


253 


276 








Ten Tricks, . . 


112 


140 


168 


196 











mi TT 

inree Honors, . 


168 


196 


224 


252 










Four Honors, 


224 


252 


280 


308 










Eleven Tricks, . 


132 


165 


198 












Three Honors, 


198 


231 


264 












Four Honors, 


264 


297 


330 












Twelve Tricks, . 


152 


J 90 














Three Honors, . 


228 


266 














Four Honors, 

r. 


304 


342 










1 



THE 


GA 


ME 


OF 


BOS 


TON 






33 


VAL 


UE 


OF 


DECLi^ 


.EE 


S. 






MJliAitlo. 


OVER-TRICKS. 






1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


Six Tricks,. . . 


36 


■±0 




A^ 
DO 


79 


Q1 

ol 


QO 

yu 


QQ 


Three Honors, . 




A^ 


79 


ol 


QO 


QQ 


108 

lUO 


1 1 7 
1 J / 


Four Honors, 


72 


81 


90 


98 


108 


117 


126 


135 


Seven Tricks, 


00 


( U 


QA 
o'± 


QQ 

yo 


119 


1 1 9A 
' IZD 




I 


Three Honors, . 


o4 


QQ 

Vo 


1 IZ 


1 9A 
IZO 


1 Afi 


1 

101 


1 AQ 

loo 




Four Honors, 


112 


126 


140 


154 


168 


182 


.196 




Eight Tricks, 




vD 


1 H 


loo 


1 f^9 


1 71 
1 1 1 






Three Honors, . 




loo 


lOZ 


1 71 
1 ( 1 


1 QA 

lyu 


900 






Four Honors, 


152 


171 


190 


209 


228 


247 






Nine Tricks, . . 


OA 
JO 


l^U 


1 AA 
I'll 


1 AQ 
IDo 


1 Q9 

lyz 









Three Honors, . 




1 AQ 
IDo 


1 Q9 
lyZ 


91 A 










Jbour Honors, 


192 


216 


240 


264 


288 








Ten Tricks, . . 


116 


145 


174 


203 










Three Honors, . 


174 


203 


232 


261 










Four Honors, 


232 


261 


290 


319 










Eleven Tricks. , 


136 


170 


204 












-LLiree xiouors. 


204 


238 


272 












Four Honors, 


272 


306 


340 












Twelve Tricks, . 


156 


195 














Three Honors, . 


234 


273 














Four Honors, 


312 


351 















5 



34 THEGAMEOFBOSTON. 



VALUE OF DECLARES. 



SUITS. 


over-tricks. 






1 


1 2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


Six Tricks, . . 


40 


50 


60 


70 


80 


90 


100 


110 


rm TT 

inree Honors, . 


60 


70 


80 


90 


100 


110 


120 


130 


Four Honors, 


80 


90 


100 


110 


120 


130 


140 


150 


Seven Tricks, 


60 


75 90 


105 


120 


135 


150 




rpi TT 

Inree Honors, . 


90 


105 120 


135 


150 


165 


180 




Four Honors, 


120 


135 


150 


165 


180 


195 


210 




Eight Tricks, . . 


80 


100 


120 


140 


160 


180 






Three Honors, . 


120 


140 


160 


180 


200 


220 






Four Honors, 


160 


180 


200 


220 


240 


260 






Nine Tricks, . . 


100 


125 


150 


175 


200 








Three Honors, . 


150 


175 


200 


225 


250 








rour rlonors. 


200 


225 


250 


275 


300 








Ten Tricks, . . 


120 


150 


180 


210 












180 


210 


240 


270 










Four Honors, 


240 


270 


300 


330 










Eleven Tricks, . 


140 


175 


210 












Three Honors, . 


210 


245 


280 












Four Honors, 


280 


315 

1 


350 












Twelve Tricks, . 


160 


200 














Three Honors, . 


240 


280 














Four Honors, 


320 


360 


1 








1 
1 





THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



35 



VALUE OF DECLARES. 

Little Misery pays 50 and beats 6 tricks. Each player dis- 
cards one card and the declarer must not take a trick. 

PiccoLissiMO pays 80 and beats 7 tricks. The declarer must 
take one trick, no more, no less. 

Grand Misery pays 110 and beats 8 tricks. No cards are 
discarded, and the declarer must not take a trick. 

Misery of Four Aces pays 140 and beats 9 tricks. The 
declarer must have the four aces. He may revoke 
on any or all of the first 10 tricks, after which he 
must follow suit if he can, and must not take a trick. 
No cards are discarded. 

Little Misery on the Table pays 170 and beats 10 tricks. 
Each player discards one card. The declarer places 
his cards face upwards on the table, so that they can 
all be seen, and must not take a trick. 

PiccoLissiMO OF Four Aces pays 200 and beats 11 tricks. 

The declarer must have the four aces. He must 
follow suit until he takes a trick, after which he may 
revoke. He must take one trick, no more, no less. 

G-RAND Misery on the Table pays 230 and beats 12 tricks. 

The declarer places his cards face upwards on the 
table, so that they can all be seen, and must not 
take a trick. No cards are discarded. 



36 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



VALUE OF DECLARES COXTIXTJED. 

Boston paj^s 500 and beats Grrand Misery on the Table. The 
declarer must take all the tricks. 

Boston on the Table pays 800 and beats Boston. The de- 
clarer places his cards face upwards on the table, so 
that they can all be seen, and must take all the 
tricks. In declaring Boston or Boston on the Table, 
the suits have the same order of precedence that 
they have in the other declares. A player declaring 
Boston in spades can have it taken away by any 
plaj^er who declares in a suit of a higher value. 

GrENERAL MiSERY. When all the players have passed, there is 
no trump and each player tries to take as few tricks 
as possible. The one taking the greatest number, 
pays to each of the other players 10 for every trick 
of dilference. Should two or three players have the 
same number of tricks the payment is divided be- 
tween them. If the amount cannot be equally 
divided, the elder hand pays the larger portion. 



PAYMENTS IN GENERAL MISERY, 



4 tricks pay 


. 30 


9 tricks pay 


5 " " 


. 70 


10 " " 


6 " 


. 110 


11 " 


7 '• ■■ 


. 150 


12 ' 


8 '• •• 


. 190 


13 " 



230 
270 
310 
350 
390 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



37 



RULES 

FOR CALCULATION OF VALUES. 



The one great difficulty which has hitherto 
prevented Boston from becoming a popular game, 
has been the impossibility of playing it without 
having the table of values, in the form of the 
so-called Boston card, constantly within reach. 

As the values are all based upon a very simple 
calculation, a slight effiort of memory, and a little 
practice of the following rules, will enable any 
one to play the game as well without the Boston 
card as with it. 

In the Avinning declares, i. e.^ trumps and suits, 
an arbitrary value is given as follows : Spades 6 ; 
clubs 7 ; diamonds 8 ; hearts 9 ; and suits 10. 

Rule 1. For a declare of six tricks, multiply 
the value of the suit by twice the number 
of honors. 

Example. — 6 tricks in spades 2 honors = 
6 X 4 = 24; with 3 honors === 6 X 6 = 36; 
with 4 honors = 6 X 8 = 48. 



38 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



Rule 2. For over-tricks, multiply the value of 
the suit hj twice the number of honors, 
plus one for each over-trick. 

Example. — 6 tricks in clubs, 2 honors, and 
1 over-trick = 7 X (4 4- 1) = 35 ; with 3 
honors and 2 over = 7 X (6 + 2) = 56 ; 
with 4 honors and 3 over = 7 X (8 -[- 3) 

Rule 3. For every trick declared over 6, add 5 
to the value of the suit and proceed as in 
Rules 1 and 2. 

Example. — 7 tricks in hearts, 2 honors = 
(9 + 5) X 4 56; 8 tricks in hearts, 3 
honors and one over = (9 -f 10) x (6 + 1) 
= 133 ; 9 tricks in suits, 4 honors, and 1 
over = (10 4- 15) x (8 + 1) = 225. 

For convenience in memorizing, these rules 
can be condensed as follows : Multiply the value 
of the suit by twice the number of honors ; add 
1 to the multiplier for each over-trick ; add 5 to 
the multiplicand for each trick declared over 6. 



THE GAME OF BOSTON. 



39 



The following table of declares, and their value 
and rank, must be committed to memory : 

Little Misery beats 6 tricks and pays . 50 
Piccolissimo beats 7 tricks and pays . 80 
Grand Misery beats 8 tricks and pays . 110 
Misery of Four Aces beats 9 tricks and 

pays ....... 140 

Little Misery on the Table beats 10 

tricks and pays . . . . .170 
Piccolissimo of Four Aces beats 11 

tricks and pays ..... 200 
Grand Misery on the Table beats 12 

tricks and pays . . . . . 230 
Boston beats grand Misery on the Table 

and pays ...... 500 

Boston on the Table beats Boston and 

pays . * 800 

For the payments in General Misery, it is only 
necessary to remember that 4 tricks pay 30, and 
then add 40 for each additional trick. 

Example I. — A takes four tricks, and B, C, and 
D each 3. A pays 10 to each. 

Example II. — A takes eight tricks, he pays 
30 -f (40 X 4) = 190. 




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